If you are in the Dordogne area with kids (including big kids like me), one place you must visit is Chateau de Castelnaud.
Initially there are lots of stairs within small turrets to climb but once you reach the top....phew - the view is worth it! Here you can see Chateau de Beynac in the distance. I could have gazed at these views for hours.
View looking down to the Castelnaud bridge and it's also a canoe drop off point.
But there is a lot more on display including ancient weapons like the one below... the biggest bow and arrow I've ever seen!
There was even a little forge inside the grounds with the blacksmith making up some weapons as we watched.
The main weapon they used to batter enemy fortifications was the trebuchet (large catapult).
It could fling projectiles weighing up to 350 pounds (160 kg). But fascinatingly they could only throw two every hour! We even saw one attack a castle!!!!
Yes well.... not the best of shots... Moving swiftly on..
There is an example of a medieval garden in the grounds with information on the types of plants/vegetables/herbs that were grown during that time.
By this time - we were cooking and all we could think of was our pool so we raced back to base and jumped into it for a much needed cool down.
After our life saving dip we headed to Sarlat for some supper at L'Auberge de Ravilhon, a typical French street restaurant.To sit, relax, chat and eat your dinner outside late in the evening is suuuuch a treat for us Brits.
The menu included typical French salads, juicy tender duck (tucked into this before thinking of taking a photo) and my fave (although this one was slightly burnt) creme brulee! Bon appetit everyone!
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